Australia's United Nations Security Council plans remain uncertain due to the pending federal election announcement, with questions over whether Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will be able to attend a key meeting of world leaders in September.

Australia will begin its one-month tenure as president of the Security Council from September 1.

The president's role traditionally gives countries a chance to shape agendas and push issues, but it is still not clear if Mr Rudd will fly to New York.

September also includes the UN's Leader's Week, when the world's prime ministers and presidents visit to address the United Nations.

It is a double bonus in diplomacy terms, and it would be surprising if Mr Rudd did not want to be there.

The Prime Minister's office says an announcement on travel arrangements will be made later "as is normal practice".

Election call could hamstring foreign policy efforts

But if an election is called that could throw Australia's diplomatic plans into disarray.

A bureaucracy in pre-election caretaker mode has fewer opportunities to deliver key diplomatic objectives. It would leave Australia's diplomatic mission in New York without necessary government back-up to drive its message.

Australia has not sat on the US Security Council for almost 30 years.

Australia became a non-permanent member of the Security Council in January and is chairing sanctions committees on Taliban, Al Qaeda and Iran.

Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr says Australia has an important role to play.

"These appointments are a reflection of our high standing among Security Council members," Senator Carr said.

"We're seen as having the commitment and resources to deliver effective oversight of international sanctions regimes which are critical to Middle East and global security."

Australia also has what is known in the UN as "pen holder" responsibility on Afghanistan, meaning Australia will draft agreements the Security Council reaches when it examines UN involvement after foreign troops leave Afghanistan.

Mr Rudd drove the UN's campaign and launched Australia's attempt to gain the Security Council seat.

At the time there was criticism from the Federal Opposition that it was too expensive, and Australia entered the race too late.

Now it appears Australia is doing well on the Security Council and enhancing its international reputation.

Australia a 'heavy lifter' in second tier of Security Council

Professor Ramesh Thakur, from the Australian National University, was an assistant secretary general at the UN and advised the Australian and New Zealand governments on security and foreign policy.

"We have proven that we have the capability," Professor Thakur said.

"We are amongst the 'heavy lifters' outside of the five [Security Council] permanent members, along with Pakistan and Korea.

"We are the three countries doing most of the serious work."

Former Liberal Party senator Russell Trood is the president of the United Nations Association of Australia and was an envoy appointed by the Federal Government to campaign internationally on Australia's behalf during the bid process.

"The Security Council is the pre-eminent body for trying to resolve peace and security issues in the international system," Dr Trood said.

"I think it is important for countries like Australia to try and make a contribution to the international efforts being made in that regard.

"It is early on in our term, but I certainly think it has been worthwhile."

Former prime minister Julia Gillard had nominated "Women in Conflict" as a key theme Australia wanted to promote during its presidency, but it is not clear if the new PM plans to stick to that message.

Other issues Australia is interested in include governance in the UN and the role of the International Criminal Court.

Dr Trood said it was important Australia used the presidency to maximise Australia's input.

"That essentially means to be able to draw onto the Security Council agenda issues which are of particular interest to Australia and on which we think there can be some movement in the international community," he said.

"If the federal election is going to interfere with our capacity to do that, then it is deeply regrettable."

Can Australia break the deadlock over Syria in the Security Council?

In taking its seat at the Security Council, Australia joins the world's diplomatic powerhouse.

The five permanent members - China, France, Russia, Britain and the United States - hold veto power over decisions.

But the Council also includes 10 non-permanent members.

The permanent members are often divided and currently are split over the issue of Syria. Russia and China have used the veto power three times to block resolutions on Syria.

Currently the five are divided even over the parameters of a proposed Syrian peace conference.

In the past week the Security Council has met Syrian opposition leaders, and afterwards was still in disagreement about the benefits of the meeting.

"I think members of the Security Council will have been encouraged by the commitment shown by the [Syrian] opposition. It remains to be seen whether the regime is equally committed," he said.

But Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin was urging caution, saying: "One should not be carried away too much, because clearly there are still some obstacles to be overcome."

But while peace talks on Syria are looking no closer, Australia can and is having an impact on this difficult issue, according to Professor Thakur.

He points to the fact that Australia recently used its power as a member of the Security Council to call what is known in the UN as an "Arria Formula" meeting on Syria.

An Arria Formula meeting allows members to organise dialogue outside of formal processes and to invite other speakers and interested groups.

"[Australia's] ambassador Garry Quinlan did that in respect to the issue of this year: Syria. He asked a couple of members of the Human Rights Council investigation to come and present their points of view," Professor Thakur said.

"The fact that Australia convened this and they got a briefing from these people speaks very well again to the authentic voice that Australia brings to the most pressing issues."

In a statement on Syria to the United Nations General Assembly, Mr Quinlan reflected on the international community's inability to find a solution.

"We are witnessing war crimes and crimes against humanity. There are crimes on all sides but we note.... most have been perpetrated by pro-government forces," he said.

"The impact on Syria's neighbours is destructive and untenable. In Lebanon one in four of the population are now Syrian.

"The international community must do more to alleviate the rapidly worsening humanitarian situation."

Refugee concerns could breach UN charters

Australia has achieved diplomatic benefits from its role on the United Nations Security Council, but concern about Australian policies from the UN's refugee agency UNHCR cannot be ignored when examining the country's status as a global nation.

International law expert from the Australian National University, Professor Penelope Mathew believes Australian policies on asylum are in breach of our international obligations under various UN charters.

"It is clear that we are not in the good books with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), one of the key humanitarian organisations," she said.

"They have been very critical of the various iterations of the Pacific solution and very critical of this latest move the regional resettlement arrangement with Papua New Guinea. So it is clear our reputation has taken something of a hit.

"I suspect that other countries still look at our participation in things like peacekeeping and other ways of supporting humanitarian efforts such as aid - financial donations to the UNHCR for example - and see us as a good international citizen.

"But perhaps on this one issue of asylum seekers there is a bit of a disjuncture."

It is a criticism Australian politicians have been prepared to live with.

This week the United States handed its monthly presidency duties over to Argentina. In four weeks' time it will be Australia's turn.